- I didn't cause the accident! - screams Mike, closing his fists in anger.
- He's right, Auntie! - I say sighing. - A drunk driver came on the wrong side of the road and hit the car they were in. Casey's with him in the hospital right now, waiting to be discharged to arrest him.
My aunt lets out another laugh full of disdain.
- That's another one that's always been a terrible influence on you. - she says coldly. - Ryan must have a good reason to hate her.
Rosno when I heard her talking about Casey, so I stopped by, moving towards my aunt. She shrinks when she feels intimate about my posture.
- Don't you dare talk about my friends like that! - I mean, between the teeth. - You're nothing but a spoiled, very snobby woman. So you don't have any real friends, and I suspect you're gonna die alone. You little shrew!
- Listen up, you little brat!
- Mom?
The voice of America is interrupted by Viola, who is standing next to the door, holding the IV. America looks at her daughter with an astonished gaze. Her face had lost color, as if she had seen a ghost.
- Hey, baby! You shouldn't be standing! - America says, approaching and trying to touch Viola's shoulder.
- Don't touch me! - Viola shoots in a cold tone, slapping his mother's hand. - Ryder's right! You're nothing but a parasite, egocentric. I've had enough of this mania for wanting to be superior to everyone else.
- Viola, how dare you speak to me this way? - rebuke, America. - You respect me because I'm your mother and I'm responsible for you.
- If that's the case, let me take that weight off your back. - says Viola with disdain.
- What do you mean by that?
- Now that I'm of age, I can take care of my own life. - she shoots, looking at Mike and smiles. - That means, I can choose my friends and since you don't like them, you're left with them.
- As long as you live under my roof, you'll do whatever I want! - says America, losing control and making it clear to those who wanted to hear that her daughter was nothing more than an object for her. - You'll do as I say and behave like a true lady.
- No! - She shoots. - I'm not your property. I'm a person, and as a person, I'm free to do whatever I want. God has given me free will and I choose to be free. Free of You and this repression of Yours that has only suffocated me.
She pauses to take a deep breath. Her trembling lips of anger and green eyes, bathed in tears that stubbornly wanted to run through her delicate face.
- When I get out of here, I'm gonna get out of that fucking mansion, which, by the way, I hate. I'll do the things I like and you've been depriving me of on a whim.
America stops, frozen in place, trying to contain the shock of hearing that. She could barely believe what she heard, so she laughed nervously.
- I'll pretend I didn't hear that ridiculous breakup of yours and consider it on account of the accident.
- You can believe what I'm saying, Mom. - says Viola in a threatening tone. - I'm in perfect state of mind, so I decided to live alone, far away from you.
- Is that so? And how will you live? - says America in a hysterical tone. - I won't give you a penny!
- Don't worry about it, because I have my means. - returns Viola, ironically. - I'm not as foolish as you think I am. I saved every penny dad left for me. I have enough for two lives.
With a cold face, Viola walks up to where I am and smiles at her mother in a debauched way.
- Get the hell out of here or I'll have the security guards remove it. - Viola commands. - I don't want to see her in front of me anymore.
I take pride in my cousin's gaze and embrace her. Kissing you on the head, I turn my gaze to America.
- You'll stay with me until you find a place to stay. - I mean, sighing. - As soon as I'm discharged, I'll take her to my apartment.
- I can help you with the move as soon as you're better. - says Brooke, agreeing with me. - I'll take care of you like you're my sister.
- Thank you! - Viola whispers.
Dropping a roar, America hits one foot on the ground and faces Mike.
- You! - she says in a threatening way and moves on to him. - This is all your fault!
America tries to beat Mike, but I'm in front of her, ready to defend him.
- Touch him and I won't spare a bullet!
A high-pitched, imperative voice echoes down the hall. Surprised, we all turned in the direction she was headed. A slender brunette with short hair was standing at the beginning of the corridor and staring at America with a murderous look. He smiled when he recognized Casey, who was wearing the uniform of the traffic guard and was approaching a tall brunette with a very serious face.
- Another accident, Casey? - I ask, laughing.
She knew that
